Organization of American States
www.oas.org

(E- 250)

December 19, 2001

RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE PANEL OF FACILITATORS IN THE BELIZE-GUATEMALA NEGOTIATION PROCESS

 

 

As a result of the Belize-Guatemala Ministerial meeting held at OAS headquarters on December 18, 2001, the Facilitators, Mr. Paul Reichler and Sir Shridath Ramphal, presented the following recommendations related to the incident which occurred on November 22 in the Adjacency Zone. These recommendations, which have been presented to the Parties, seek to restore an atmosphere of confidence inside the Adjacency Zone. They are also intended to avoid further incidents which may affect the negotiation process aimed at peacefully resolving the territorial differendum between Belize and Guatemala.

 

1.         The Government of Belize should forthwith undertake to make ex gratia payments for loss of life to the dependents of Jesus Ramírez Solano, Jesus Ramírez Icho and Virgilio Ramírez Icho.

2.         The Government of Belize should promptly initiate appropriate judicial or quasi-judicial proceedings to ascertain by due process of law the culpability or otherwise of Belizean personnel for the deaths of Jesus Ramírez Solano, Jesus Ramírez Icho and Virgilio Ramírez Icho.

3.         Pending the outcome of such proceedings, Belizean military or police personnel directly involved in the discharge of firearms during the events of 22 November should be suspended immediately from active duty;  and, with a view to the reduction of tension in the area, there should be an immediate withdrawal from the Adjacency Zone of other Belizean military or police personnel who were involved in those events.

4.         Commencing no later than Saturday, 22 December at 6:00 a.m. local time, and continuing through 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, 22 January 2002 (or such later date as the Parties may agree), all military patrols in the Adjacency Zone should be joint patrols.  Military representatives of the Governments of Belize and Guatemala should meet prior to 22 December to work out modalities.  The Facilitators will be available to assist the Parties in reaching agreement on these modalities, should their assistance be required.

5.       Commencing immediately, and continuing through 6:00 a.m. on 22 January 2002 (or such later date as the Parties may agree), whenever the Government of Belize or the Government of Guatemala plans to carry out law enforcement activities in the Adjacency Zone on its respective side of the Adjacency Line, it should invite observer participation by at least one representative of the other’s military or police forces.  All law enforcement activities in the Adjacency Zone should be carried out with full respect for the human and civil rights of the inhabitants, regardless of nationality.

6.         The Governments of Belize and Guatemala should enhance their procedures for ensuring the lawful conduct of all persons within the Adjacency Zone on their respective sides of the Adjacency Line.

 

 

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